The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1887-06-18
CARROLL'S MANOR.
One Of Maryland's Colonial Homes

A correspondent of the Westminster Advocate
describes visit made recently to the home of
Charles Carroll of Carrolton, situated in Howard
county, portion of which description is here ap-
pended
awe first entered the drawing room, long and
high-ceied, with carved MANTLE wide windows,
and heavy, solid furniture. The musical members
of the party evoked sweet sounds from handsome
piano of modern workmanship, and then we ad-
mired the family portraits, in gilded frames, and
costumes of eye olden time" The "signer" gazed
benignly upon us from above his deep, furred col
lar, and the marble bust of the governor cleaned
from its dark PEDESTAL while aristocratic in every
lneament was the fair, womanly countenance rest
ing against tall easel. Several fine paintings,
some five or six feet in height, also occupy promi
nent positions. The drawing-room opened into
the state sleeping apartment, and there we beheld,
tapestried with drapery of pale, golden hue, the
square mahogany bedstead upon which had re-
posed the immortal Washington-that king in all
but crown-and we to-day gazed from the same
windows upon the very park that nearly century
ago, the Ruler of the Nation" had admired in all
its pristine beauty. Carved gilt designs orna-
mented the four tall posts, and small carpete /
steps led up to the feathery mountain formerly
thought conducive to comfort. Next we assembled
noble staircases, passed along wide halls through
pieces of furniture oval mirrors, queer little pier
glasses of fine old polished woods, whose antiquity
did not constitute their only charm. After our
investigation of the realms of Somnus, we stepped
out upon the upper balconies and admired the
lovely stretch of park and fell.
awe then descended the "broad hall stair" to
the dining room, with its dark, massive centre ia
BILE, with Bullets, its solemn ancient coffin clock,
standing in an arched alcove, and ticking away
as placidly as if it had not crossed the Atlantic
over hundred years ago. Antique lamps and
candlestcks adorned the high mantle, and over it
hung oval painting of the "signer's" father, an
aristocratic Englishman in full buttoned court
dress and wig, while other members of the family
were ranged along the walls. One full-length por-
trait represented phenomenally slender maiden
in sea green robe, with flowing train. Tho Ii
brary was comparatively small, three sides of it
covered with books, while soft easy chairs invited
one to pursue his favorite authors in undisturbed
bliss. Carelessly tossed among the books was a
peculiarly shaped basket, containing species of
dried vegetation. On one side of the library hung
a map and plan of the "Manor," stating that the
original patent embraced some 900 acres. Across
the hall was the family sitting room, bright, airy
apartment, containing handsome arched book
case. Next we entered the chapel, with its stained
mullioned windows, futed organ, decorated altar,
statues and paintings. The dust of Chas. Carroll
lies beneath the chapel, and carved mable tablet
let into the wall bears his name and the date OF
his birth and death-1737-18